From the Editor's Desk
Tips, tributes, tidings, and tweets from readers like you and members of our worldwide community.Page 06
Make: Volume 88 — Digital Fabrication 2024
Paper printers can print in color, why not 3D printers? Well, now they can! New multicolor and multi-material 3D printers are more approachable than ever — and they’re good!
In this issue of Make: we go in depth with the latest multi-filament 3D printing systems from Bambu Labs, Prusa Research, and others to show you how to get the best color 3D prints. But even though you can print multicolor pieces, should you? From waste towers to orientation issues, we walk you through the pros and cons of printing all-in-one color pieces versus assembling separate color parts. Then, get the download on next-level resin printing that can produce pieces in literal seconds! Next, take a look at HueForge, a surprising technique for 3D printing full-color reliefs that look like digital paintings. And, can AI make ready-to-print 3D objects? The answer is … Kind of!
- Plus, 21 projects for you to make, including:
- Craft a cuddly companion robot that moves and lights up through sight and touch
- Make a DIY mobility walker for cheap
- Create a highly customizable alarm clock with a pixel display
- Build a ham radio antenna out of an actual tin of ham!
- Make a giant LED Ouija board and send spooky messages via Wi-Fi
- Turn a hardwood cutting board into a gorgeous end table
- Design your vinyl cutter projects for fast weeding and application
- Make a simple animatronic robot with AI that knows how to follow your face
- And much more!
Table of Contents
Columns
Welcome: Indie Makers
Dale Dougherty
Amateur, pro, or passion project, it’s all about the freedom to choose what you make.Page 08
Make on Earth
Amazing builds from around the globe.Page 10
Features
The Magic Is Back by the Bay
Dale Dougherty
Makers came together again for a revamped Maker Faire Bay Area on the waterfront in Vallejo, California.Page 14
3 Modes of Making
Matt Zigler
Try the trifecta of teaching maker skills: imitation, modification, and innovation.Page 20
Micro Recyclers
Nick Schick with Andrea Schick
Save the world and have fun making stuff with the Precious Plastic community.Page 24
Digital Fabrication 2024
The Rise of Color in 3D Printing
Courtney Bloom
True multi-material machines are here — and they’re good! Bambu Lab and Prusa Research lead the way.Page 28
To Multi or Not to Multi?
Caleb Kraft
Pros and cons of producing multicolor prints in one go versus printing separately and assembling.Page 34
Filament Painting
Caleb Kraft
Extrude full-color images — even with an ordinary 3D printer — using HueForge’s clever software.Page 36
3D Printing in Seconds
Taylor Waddell
Instant prints! Layerless, all-at-once resin printing is a reality with the astonishing CAL system.Page 38
Opportunity Activated
Joan Horvath
One maker’s journey taking 3D-printed medical casts from possibility to production.Page 42
Makey Mark
Sujay Saravanan
Try a new benchmark print with a familiar face.Page 45
Slices Are Ready
Courtney Blum
Hungry for features? Sample the latest piping-hot slicer software for 3D printing.Page 46
Can AI Make 3D Prints?
Caleb Kraft
Kind of! Text-to-3D-model generators are here, but not optimized for printing.Page 50
Pultruder Alert
Joshua R. Taylor
Make your own filament from recycled PET soda bottles — using salvaged printer parts.Page 52
Diode Power
Caleb Kraft
New diode lasers rival CO₂ laser cutters for power — and last far longer.Page 56
Projects
DIY Graffiti Projector
Claire Danielle Cassidy
Make a handheld graffiti gobo projector, and let them read the lighting on the wall.Page 58
Build-a-Bot (Cuddly Edition)
Debra Ansell
Code and sew a plush, interactive, wearable companion robot.Page 64
Personal Pixel Device
Charlyn Gonda
Build your own highly customizable pixel display with speaker, for a cool clock and much more.Page 74
Summoning Super-Size Spirits
Lee Wilkins
Make a massive LED Ouija boardand send spooky secret messages.Page 82
Hamming It Up
Ben Eadie
Turn a can of ham into a functional ham radio antenna.Page 88
Watchful AI Owl
Reade Richard, Brenda Shivanandan, Andy Forest, and Denzel Edwards
Make a simple animatronic robot with AI that knows how to follow your face.Page 92
Rising to the Acacia
David Battino
Target hack: Turn a hardwood cutting board into a gorgeous end table in minutes.Page 98
Walk This Way
Joshua Pearce
Mobility walkers can be expensive. Build your own personalized, strength-tested version for less.Page 100
Toy Inventor’s Notebook: Weather Bird
Bob Knetzger
Make a science toy that forecasts the weather.Page 106
Skill Builder
3D Printing Ceramics
Joan Horvath and Rich Cameron
Whether it’s clay, filament, or even resin, here’s how to go from the 3D printer to the kiln.Page 110
Fine Finishing for Fused Filament
Elyse Farris
Getting that silky smooth surface finish on 3D prints.Page 116
Speed Weed
Tim Deagan
How to design vinyl cutter projects with strategic extra cuts for fast, easy weeding.Page 118
Toolbox
Toolbox
Gear up with the latest tools and kits for makers.Page 124
Over the Top
The Longest Piano in the World
Craig Couden
At almost 20 feet, the Alexander Piano is a one-of-a-kind wonder.Page 128
